Mote SEA’s state of the art STEM Teaching Labs
Designed to spark curiosity and imagination, our three student-centered learning spaces bring decades of Mote research to life through exploration and discovery. Students won’t just learn about science—they’ll live it. Each experience combines structured curriculum aligned to state standards with activities created by Mote’s scientists and educators who translate real research into experiments and investigations students of all ages can understand and undertake. Together, these opportunities invite learners to explore new ideas, test possibilities, and see themselves as the next generation of researchers, innovators, and conservationists.
Learn more below about each of our unique teaching labs.
Marine Ecology Lab
Step into the world of Florida’s coastal habitats! In the Marine Ecology STEM Teaching Lab, students explore habitats that showcase mangrove shorelines, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. These living systems highlight the ecosystem connections that support ocean health, while offering a window into the work of Mote scientists.
This teaching lab draws directly from Mote’s active research and restoration efforts, including Coral Reef Restoration through microfragmentation and spawning; Seagrass Ecosystem Restoration that builds resilient seagrass meadows; and Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture that advances sustainable seafood and conservation. Together, these efforts demonstrate how science and restoration support the balance of life along our coasts and allow students to see ecology in action.
Biomedical and Immunology Lab
Discover the science behind the health of the ocean’s animals! The Biomedical and Immunology STEM Teaching Lab introduces students to the science of marine life health and the surprising ways it connects to human medicine. In this space, they explore how scientists study the immune systems of sharks, skates, and rays; investigate the health of threatened species like sea turtles; and discover how microscopic marine life can produce natural products with medical potential. Students see how research in the lab and field reveals the hidden biology that keeps ocean animals healthy and helps people better understand their own health.
This teaching lab features Mote’s Marine Biomedical, Immunology, and Microbiology Research programs, which together explore shark and ray disease resistance, immune health in marine vertebrates, and bioactive compounds from marine microbes. These efforts demonstrate how discoveries from the ocean advance conservation and medicine, while inspiring students to see the connections between marine life and human health.
Ocean Technology Lab
Dive into ocean innovation! In the Ocean Technology STEM Teaching Lab, students discover the tools scientists use to explore and understand marine environments. They learn about autonomous and remotely operated systems that move through the water, across the surface, and along the seafloor; electronic tags that track fish after release; artificial intelligence that improves the efficiency and accuracy of research; and citizen science apps that allow the public to contribute to valuable data. This space shows how technology and science work together to unlock the secrets of the sea.
Through these technologies, students learn how Mote scientists expand what we know about marine ecosystems and how we respond to the challenges these ecosystems face. By blending engineering and technology with biology and conservation, the Ocean Technology STEM Teaching Lab inspires students to see how innovative tools lead to new discoveries and help protect the oceans of tomorrow.
Booking Information
Mote’s STEM Teaching Labs are currently only available to be booked for school field trips, birthday parties, or as add-ons to venue rentals.
